HOT & STEAMY HODGEPODGE!

     Again this week it is Africa hot! The heat has consistently been in the 90's with the humidity in the mid to high 60's. SWMBO, at least, is happy. She really enjoys the heat of summer. I usually hunker down in either our bedroom or her office where the AC units are. 
     Being Wednesday it is also time for another Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you Joyce Daley from From This Side of the Pond for another series of interesting questions. Now...the Hodgepodge!

1. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your summer so far? Why?
(1=eh and 10=best summer ever)
     I'll go with a "5" due to the excessive heat. SWMBO would rate it higher, I'm certain. 

2. July 26th is National Aunts and Uncles Day. Did you have many aunts and uncles growing up? Were you especially close to any one or maybe all of them? Are you an aunt? (or uncle for the men who join here on Wednesdays) Share a favorite memory relating to one of your own aunts or uncles or relating to a niece or nephew who call you Aunt (or Uncle).
     We had a bunch of aunts and uncles during my early youth. I was close to one of my mother's brother. He played a significant role in my adolescence. He provided a refuge and an understanding ear when I needed it. I really loved him and miss him.

3. What's your favorite food dipped in chocolate? What's your favorite food dipped in cheese?
     My favorite food to dip in chocolate is a fat, ripe strawberry. My favorite food to dip in cheese is some version of chip...corn, tortilla, etc.

4. When were you last astonished by something? Explain.
     I have not been astonished in recent memory.

5. Surf board, paddle board, ironing board, Pinterest board, score board, clip board, bulletin board...which board have you most recently encountered?
     Ironing board? Are you serious? Does anybody use those things anymore? I'll go with a scoreboard. I've been watching a fair amount of baseball this summer and not just the Red Sox. I catch a National League game from time to time also. I do visit Pinterest a fair amount too.

6. What's your favorite story from scripture? Why that story?
     I love the Gospel of John, Chapter 17. After they shared their last Passover Meal together, Jesus and His disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed. What makes this account so special to me is that Jesus prayed for me. The thought that the Creator of the Universe would pray for all of us, me in particular, is amazing! I cannot put my mind around that fact even though Scripture is clear on that point. (John 17:20, 21) I am one of those who has believed Jesus through their testimony.

7. If you were to travel from the east coast to the west coast in your own country, which five cities would you most want to see?
     I would definitely want to re-visit Washington D.C., Nashville, TN, Denver, CO, Las Vegas, NV, and San Francisco, CA. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.
     Last week I commented upon the Republican Convention. The Democrat Convention is playing out as I write this. It seems that the Democrats are no better organized than the Republicans are. 
     It occurs to me that modern day politics is more akin to the NFL. The primaries was the regular season and the national election in November is the Super Bowl. 
     It seems to me that both parties are more concerned with winning the Super Bowl than they are in solving the real problems facing our country. It seems to me that Republicans and Democrats are more devoted and loyal to their party than they are to their country. If there's a conflict between what's best for the country and what's best for their party, they will choose their party every time, even to the detriment of We the People. 
     I hate being such a cynic, but there it is! Enjoy your Wednesday!

REPUBLICAN CONVENTION HODGEPODGE!

     I have been watching bits and pieces of the Republican Convention. I am not filled with confidence in the competence of the Republican Party based upon what I saw unfolding before me. The convention seemed to be chaotic and disorderly. It improved somewhat the second night...but c'mon, this is supposed to by your showcase. Well, it's Wednesday and time for another Hodgepodge.

1. Pokemon Go...your thoughts? Are you playing? Do you even know what it is?
     I know what it is. I am not playing because I have a life with responsibilities and everything. I think games are a good thing but when it results in injury or death it has gone too far. I am intrigued by the number of dead bodies that have been found by those who are playing the game, though.

2. What was something you collected as a child? Do you still have that collection? If you're a parent what's something your own children collected? Have you ever camped out, stood in a crazy long queue, or paid a ridiculous sum for a 'collectible'?
     I collected baseball cards and coins in my youth. I do not have either collections anymore. I have never camped out or stood in a ridiculously long line or paid a ridiculous sum for any collectible.

3. "Collect moments, not things"...tell us about a moment you've added to your collection this summer.
     My beloved SWMBO had a really good time on our anniversary. We really enjoy going to a restaurant and sharing a great meal and conversation.

4.  What's something collecting dust in your home right now? Any plans to do something about it?
     The DVD player that sits under the TV in our living room. I may get around to dusting it...someday!

5. A favorite song relating to time?
     "Time in a Bottle" by Jim Croce

6. What's been your most frightening or your most interesting encounter with wildlife?
     I was deer hunting several years ago. I heard what I thought was by hunting partner kicking up leaves while walking approaching me from behind. I stood up and turned to find a HUGE bull moose standing there staring at me. That was an impressive animal. We parted company as friends. I wonder if he ever told his moose buddies about the HUGE orange man he ran into in the forest?

7.  On July 20, 1969 Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong set his foot down on the moon. If you could travel to the moon would you go? Why or why not?
     Yeah, I think I would. It would have to be the adventure of a lifetime. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.
     I must apologize to those of you who visited by blog page last Wednesday and left a comment. I usually return the favor by stopping in and visiting your blog page and leaving a comment in return. Last week I did not, for reasons I won't go into. Anyways I will try to do better henceforth. 
    That said...Black Lives Matter can kiss my _ _ _ ! The whole movement is founded upon a lie. As a result of their Bovine Excreta and the tacit encouragement of the president of the United States police officers are being shot down in the street. Like I said, Black Lives Matter can kiss my _ _ _ !

AFRICA HOT HODGEPODGE...THE SEQUEL!

     Here we are at another Wednesday Hodgepodge and here we are at another hot, hazy and humid day. Another "Africa Hot" and humid day. I like the summer but I don't love it. My beloved SWMBO loves it. Me, I sweat by just breathing. Well, the cooler temperatures of Fall and Winter will be here soon enough. Now onto this week's questions...

1. Do you find yourself influencing your world, or is it more the other way around?
     It depends upon the day. Some days I influence my world. Other days I am influenced by my world.

2. July 14th is National Tape Measure Day...the device was patented on this date in 1868. When did you last use a tape measure? Do you always know where to find one in your house? Tell us one way in which you feel blessed 'beyond measure'. 
     I last used a tape measure to measure some hardwood flooring a couple of weeks ago. I always know where I can find a tape measure in my house. I am blessed beyond measure with my beloved SWMBO...but I'm sure most of you knew that I was going to say that. I say it because it is true!

3.The Plaza Hotel (Eloise), The Land of Oz (The Wizard of Oz), Narnia (The Chronicles of Narnia), The Hundred Acre Wood (Winnie the Pooh), Wonderland (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland), or Never Never Land (Peter Pan)...which storybook land (on this list!) would you most like to visit and why? 
     I select Narnia! I love the Chronicles of Narnia as well as the other writings of Clive Staples (C.S.) Lewis. It sounds like it is a magical place.

4. Where and when do you get your best ideas? 
      I usually am at my best during the early evening to late evening. That's when my thinking is most productive.

5.  So what have you been watching on TV this summer? Anything good?
     SWMBO and I have been watching "Royal Pains." We also watched "San Andreas" with Dwayne Johnson. SWMBO particularly likes disaster movies where there is widespread destruction and mayhem. We also watched "The Walk." It's a movie about a frenchman who walked between the towers of the World Trade Center on a wire in 1974.

6. 'Don't swim for an hour after you eat', 'Dog days of summer', 'Knee high by the Fourth of July'...choose a summer saying from the list or share one of your own, then tell us what image or memory comes to mind when you hear it spoken.
     "Don't swim for an hour after you eat" It evokes memories of my friends and me at a municipal pool eating a picnic lunch together and then playing wiffle ball or some other game until the hour was up and we could return to the pool.

7. In a single sentence, sum up one life lesson you've learned. 
     "And this too shall pass." No matter what you may be going through, you will get through it. It will inevitably pass no matter how long it takes.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
     "Sitting on a sofa on a Sunday afternoon. Going to the candidate's debate. Laugh about it, talk about it when you've got to choose. Any way you look at it you lose."  Mrs Robinson by Simon and Garfunkel.
      This kind of sums up my attitude about this election cycle.

AFRICA HOT HODGEPODGE!

     It is Hump Day already! I can hardly believe it. Our Hodgepodge Mistress, Joyce Daley, has come up with another series of interesting questions. Pop on over to her blog page, "From This Side of the Pond," and follow the simple directions on how to participate and join in on the fun. You will meet amazing people who also participate. Now onto the Hodgepodge...

1. How did you welcome the month of July, and tell us one fun thing you did to celebrate the 4th. (or the weekend for any non-USA residents playing along today)

     My beloved SWMBO and I began the Month of July with the celebration of 44 years of wedded bliss together. We are truly blessed! We then decided to get Summer colds. I got over mine quickly. SWMBO is still fighting hers due to her compromised immune system. To celebrate Independence Day, we went food shopping and grilled some animal flesh in the spirit of the Holiday.

2. Right now..what's your favorite red thing? white thing? blue thing? 

     My favorite red things are the questions of this Hodgepodge. My favorite blue things are the answers. My favorite white thing is the page upon which they are written.

3. Wave the white flag, raise a red flag, fly your freak flag...which 'flag' have you flown most recently? Explain. 

     I never surrender so the white flag is out. As hot as it is today, a red flag of warning might be appropriate. No, I'm gonna let my freak flag fly as I often do! Why? I'm glad that you asked. When people think you're crazy you have a wider latitude of what you can get away with.

4. According to Cond Nast Traveler these are the seven best places to visit in July-

a boat safari in Botswanna's Okavango Delta, Riviera Maya Mexico (it's whale shark season and apparently you can swim with them), Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, Pamploma Spain, St. Petersburg Russia, the Fuji Rock Festival at Mount Naeba Japan, the Salzburg Festival in Salzburg Austria

If time and money weren't factors would you want to see any/all of these? Which would you most like to see and why? 

     With the exception of Mexico and Russia I would go for doing the rest, if time and money were not factors. I believe that for a  retired American police officer, Mexico and Russia would not be welcoming and may be downright dangerous, so no thank you. There are plenty of other places, safer places around the globe.

5. Grilled cheese, pimento cheese, or mac and cheese...your favorite from the cheesy treats listed? 

     Grilled cheese, please! I would like tomato, onions, pickles on my sandwich too if you please.

6. What makes you sweat? 

     In these "Africa Hot" temperatures, simply breathing makes me sweat. Standing in front of the congregation preaching a sermon or teaching a Bible Class also makes me sweat regardless of the ambient temperature.

7. Your favorite movie with a 'patriotic' theme of some sort?

     "13 Hours, the Men of Benghazi" is my new favorite. These brave warriors risked everything to protect and save their fellow citizens, many of whom did not want them around before the hostilities began.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

     I often use the Random Thought to vent my spleen over some travesty from government, politics, etc. Today I will not. Today I pay tribute to my fellow citizens who are wearing, or have worn, a uniform in service to "We the People." Whether that uniform be from one of the military services or if it be a police, fire or EMS uniform, I pay honor to you...and you know who you are! 
    Throughout our history, we as a nation have been blessed by God with special men and women who sacrificially give of themselves to protect us from those who would do us harm or to execute violence on our behalf upon those who have done us harm. They ask nothing in return and simply see it as their duty. They act out of gratitude for the blessings of liberty that this nation affords them. I say, THANK GOD FOR THEM ALL!